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Missing Children Society of Canada's 'Holiday Messages of Hope' for GivingTuesday

Global Day of Giving Takes Place this Year on November 29

CALGARY, AB--(Marketwired - November 29, 2016) - At the WestJet Arrivals wing of the Calgary International Airport, Tuesday, November 29th between 10:00am - 2:00pm -- the Missing Children Society of Canada is planning to hand out holiday decorations, messages of hope, and information about the organization to travellers during 'Holiday Messages of Hope' for GivingTuesday, a global giving movement that has been driven by individuals, charities, businesses and communities across Canada and in countries around the world. Just as Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season, GivingTuesday is the opening day of the giving season.

GivingTuesday, the global day of generosity, continues to gain traction across the country in its fourth year, with thousands of partner organizations and millions of Canadians expected to take part. Since 2013, GivingTuesday has united millions of Canadians to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.

The impact of GivingTuesday goes well beyond charitable donations, inspiring giving in all its forms. From coast to coast to coast, people are embracing this day as an opportunity to raise money for local charities and non-profits, run food and clothing drives, give blood, encourage kindness, help a neighbour and celebrate generosity.

So far more than 5,400 Canadian charities, businesses and community groups have used GivingTuesday to rally generosity and help make the world a better place in countless ways. Around the globe people are participating in GivingTuesday activities in 71 countries including Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Slovenia, Tanzania, the UK and more.

Over 45,000 children go missing each year in Canada; that is the equivalent of one child every 11 minutes. On average, 200 are abduction cases, thousands are disappearances and over 30,000 children are considered vulnerable youth who face extreme challenges and dangerous situations including drugs, violence, human trafficking and homelessness. Of all of these cases only 6-10 per year meet the high AMBER Alert threshold criteria. These numbers are overwhelming to all Canadians. BUT THERE IS HOPE! The Missing Children Society of Canada worked with police across the country as well as technology industry leaders to come up with the Most Valuable Network; a system of technology components including social media and geo-targeted smartphone apps to notify the public in a specific location as soon as a child goes missing. AND IT WORKS! Children are being located across the country but we need the help from Canadians to keep going. Whether you give financially or become part of the network of individuals ready to help if a child goes missing, you can play a role in keeping children safe!

The Missing Children Society of Canada joined GivingTuesday with several of our partners to help bring awareness to Canadians that there is a real solution for this growing challenge in Canada. GivingTuesday is a widely-recognizable initiative and the Missing Children Society of Canada is proud to be a part of this global giving movement.

"GivingTuesday is about more than just supporting the charities you care about financially," said Missing Children Society of Canada's Chief Operating Officer, Tricia Bailey. "It is about individuals coming together across the globe and playing an active role in the changes they want to make and the causes that are close to their hearts. When we are a connected community we can and will affect change."

About the Missing Children Society of CanadaSince 1986, the Missing Children Society of Canada has been working with police and families to help return missing children to a safe haven through professional investigations, innovative emergency response, public awareness and family support programs. To learn more, please visit www.mcsc.ca.

About GivingTuesday (#GivingTuesdayCA)GivingTuesday is a movement to celebrate giving of all kinds, celebrated on the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday; this year it falls on November 29, 2016. The movement was launched in Canada in 2013 by GIV3 and CanadaHelps.org, and founded in the US in 2012 by 92nd Street Y in partnership with the UN Foundation.